Navigating Machine Behavior: The Role of Psychology in the Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence
The Dean of the Faculty of Psychology at Universitas Indonesia (UI), Prof. Dr. Bagus Takwin, M.Hum., Psychologist, was officially inaugurated as a Permanent Professor of Psychology at the Faculty of Psychology, on Wednesday (8/5), at the UI Council Hall. The inauguration ceremony was led by UI Rector, Prof. Ari Kuncoro, S.E., M.A., Ph.D, and attended by the Chairperson of the National Commission on Human Rights, Dr. Atnike Nova Sigiro, M.Sc, M.Sw.
In his scientific oration, Prof. Bagus Takwin discussed a topic entitled “Navigating the Nature of Machines: The Role of Psychology in the Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence”. According to him, humans cannot be separated from the use of artificial intelligence (AI). However, AI experts and observers see many AI-related problems, including ethical issues. Therefore, the idea of developing AI personality by giving AI a good and ethical character, shaping its personality, and making AI a moral agent in line with moral values and human goals emerged.
Issues related to AI personality and character came after the advent of “deep learning”, which is machine learning that uses large amounts of data and complex algorithms to train models. Deep learning allows computer machines to learn from experience, eliminating the need for a human operator to formally determine the knowledge the computer needs.
One of the main criticisms of deep learning is that it is a black box – that is, no one knows or can explain exactly how deep learning agents make decisions. Even the developers who create these agents cannot explain in detail how they work. This is a problem for regulators and the public as its safety and purpose cannot be ensured.
Therefore, the development of personality in AI is intended to address the control and ethical issues of AI use. In humans, individual behavior and decisions can be predicted based on personality. This can also be applied to AI as several studies have concluded that deep learning agents can be recognized as machines that have “personality traits”, which can be understood by policymakers and society.
Prof. Bagus Takwin highlighted the role of psychologists in AI personality development. This role is carried out through various efforts, including the integration of personality theories, development of methods for testing and evaluating AI personality models, understanding of human-computer integration to design AI that is intuitive, user-friendly, and effective, and continuous monitoring and adjustment. With these efforts, psychologists help develop AI personalities that are humane, effective, ethical, prosperous, and happy for humans in the future.
“The history of AI overlaps a lot with the history of psychology. So far, computer scientists and AI researchers have drawn heavily from cognitive psychology, as well as neuropsychology. Therefore, the study of AI personality will strengthen and extend psychology’s collaboration with AI researchers in the future,” he said.
Using three perspectives, such as Personality Psychology, Moral Psychology, and Cognitive Psychology, Prof. Bagus Takwin recommended several things for the development of AI personality and how to anticipate its consequences. He emphasized the importance of a holistic and multidisciplinary approach and collaboration in AI personality development. With this approach, the benefits of AI personality development can be achieved.
In addition, AI reasoning should consider the social, moral/ethical values and value priorities of stakeholders in a multicultural context and ensure transparency. Without taking into account appropriate and ethical values, the values of AI systems and human values will not be harmonized.
“Fundamentally, the ethical principle or rule for AI is to achieve the well-being and happiness of both humans and AI. The goal of AI is to help humans experience a good life, and experience enjoyment, happiness, and well-being. AI also makes life a sharing event between humans that makes each other happy and prosperous, and adheres to good ideas and values,” he said.
The research related to the role of psychology in the development of AI personality is one of many studies conducted by Prof. Bagus Takwin. Some of them are Rethinking the Interaction Between Resilience and Well-Being through Place Attachment: A Case Study of Flood-Prone Urban Communities in Indonesia (2023); Collective Efficacy as the Conditional Effect of the Relationship between Religiocentrism and Support for Interreligious Violence (2022); and Islam and Politics: A Latent Class Analysis of Indonesian Muslims Based on Political Attitudes and Psychological Determinants (2022).
Prof. Bagus Takwin is a graduate of UI. His Bachelor and Doctoral programs were obtained from the Faculty of Psychology, while his Master program was obtained in Philosophy, Faculty of Humanities. Prior to serving as Dean of the UI Faculty of Psychology, he was the Chair and Study of Terrorism and Social Conflict of the Faculty of Psychology (2017-2019), Chair of the Social Psychology, Faculty of Psychology (2016-2018), and Manager of Student Affairs and Alumni of the Faculty of Psychology UI (2006-2008).
Prof. Bagus Takwin’s inauguration ceremony was also attended by the Head of Psychology of the National Intelligence Agency, Brig. Gen. Dr. Hj. Rinny Shirley Theresia Wowor, S.Psi., M.Psi.; Vice Rector III of YARSI University, Dr. Octaviani Indrasari Ranakusuma, M.Si., Psi.; Head of POMDA Faculty of Psychology, Tubagus Farich, MBA; deans from various universities (Gadjah Mada University, Maranatha Christian University, Surabaya University, UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Tarumanagara University, Mercu Buana University, and Sampoerna University); and Deans of the UI Faculty of Psychology from 1976-1981 to 2013-2021.
